Improvement in try-squares



'.EssEzL TRY-SQUARES.

10.183,38'7. Patented. oct. 17, 187e.

WITNESSES, INVE'NTQR,

@aya/0%@ raras i'MPRovEMl-:NT lN TRV-SQUARES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. lS3',3S7, dated October 17, 1876; application filed April 25, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Y Be it known that I, JEREMIAH ESSEX, of

the town of Bennington, in the coun-ty ofv Bennington and State of Vermont, have in-fV Vented certain Improvementsin Carpenters Steel and Try Squares, `of which the following isa specication: 4

The object of thislinvention is to prov-ide steel squares and try-squares .of the kinds in .ordinary use by mechanics for laying out work .tions drilled at definite distances from thel edges. Fig. 2 shows the adaptation and fuse@ of a perforated square for layin g out Work for common stairs. Fig.'3 represents one of a set of center or .guide pins, which are designedi t0 accompany, and incertain cases to be used in connection with, the :perforated square. ,f Fig. 4 shows another style of-center-pin, which l is adapted to be used in connection with the perforated squarefor rule in a variety of Ways, more fully described hereinafter. Fig. 5 exhibits an edge View of the square or rule :and the model of using the center guide-pins shown in Fig. 3. Y

In the drawing I have shown my system o -invention as applied. to an ordinary steel square having a twenty-four-inch'.body, two inches wide, and an eighteen-inch tongue an inch and a half wide. 0n the outside edgethereof I have marked the half-inch subdivisions with drilledholes or perforations, each one-fourth of an :inch from the edge of the blade, and the inch-divisions with holes just a half-inch from the edge. On the inner edge of the body are shown two ranges of perforations, the outer of which marks the halfinch subdivisions, and is one-fourth of an inch from the inner edge of the blade. The inner range of holes is just half an inch. from the .of the workor the judgment or fancy of the workman may determine.

As :concomitante-of the lperforations, and

used in connection therewith, I have provided a device (Shown at J, Fig. 4) which, for most purposes, may be designated a fscriberJ v It `consists of aeyl-inder of metal, provided with a longitudinal slotor mortise, adapted to vslide onto the body ofthe square or onto a straight rule, as the case may be. In one end of this cylinder is inserted a'set-screw, K, which is used to hold t-he scri-ber in .adjustment on the bladeand in the-opposite .end is fixed ashort tapering piece of steel, L, v,drawn to apoint of proper shape to serve either as -a center or.

a scriber, and of a .diameter just .above vthe point .to fit the holes or perforations H H H, Fig. l. In use, .two or possibly l.more of these scribers vmaybe found convenient. The head of the set-screw K -is ,preferably made in a spherical form, so as not .to occasion annoyance to the hand when the sameis detached from the bar and .used as ya .center oran aw-l. A hole passes through the .horizontal diameter of the head of this set-screw, and another hole, Whose axis is coincident with the axis kof the 'scr-iber, .passes from the ktop ofthe .head ol" the set-screw down through, and intersects with, the horizontal hole. The head of th-ese set-screws are .thusconstructed to admitof -the introduction of a-cordorline,so that the whole, when detached from the bar or blade, may be used as a plumb-bob.

In Fig.' 4 the scribers are shown in adjustment on the body of the square, ready for use in striking a circle or for laying oft' equal Spaces; but there are times and places where it is impracticable to use the several parts for such purposes, combined as shown in Fig. 4. In such` instances the scribers may be detached, the square or rule laid dat upon the surface upon which the proposed circle is to be made, the point or center L of one scriber v inserted through one of the perforations, (as, for instance, at Gr, Fig. 1,) and with the point of another scriber, awl, or pencil inserted rioni.;

through some other onerof the perforations, as at F, the are R R R, or any similar arc, may be described. All the holes upon both body and tongue of a common steel square may thus be utilized for such purposes, and an extreme radius obtained equal to the distance between the last holes` upon the ends of the body and tongue, respectively.

The small center or guide pin C is provided to be used for like purposes, where there is insucient space or it is inconvenient to use the layercenter or scriber J. The guide-pin G is constructed with a collar or ange, from one side of which projects a conical apex or spur, which is used for a center, andfrom the opposite side projects Va short pin of a size to pass through and fit the holes H H H, Fig. 1. When twol are inserted through tire body and `tongue of the square, respectively, with stems protruding` downward, as at C C, Fig. 1, and in position relatively, as shown at C C, Fig.

i 2, they serve as guide-pins to bear or slide against the edge of the board or plank, for the lpurpose of laying out work of the character shown in Fig. 2. Angles of uniformity can thus be easily and rapidly projected.

Another important use to which squares so perforated may be applied is in'framing timber and in other analogous work. By allowing the innerl edge of the body of the square to impinge and slideagainst the front side or face. of the timber or other material upon which it is desired to lay out the work, accurate distances from such front edge may be laid oif on the tongue of the square, and

marked by the point of the scriber, awl, or pencil inserted through the proper orifice; and if a parallel line through such point is desired, as very frequently happens, all that is-necessary to produce such line is to draw the square along (still bearing against the timber) the desired distance, carrying with it the marking-point inserted in the proper perforation, as aforesaid. Lines at right angles with these are made in the usual way. 1n this manner an almost endless variety of rectangular work can be laid out without removing the square from its relative position to the stick, and with a much greater degree of accuracy than in the old way.

Metallic squares are much used about various kinds of work where, by reason of dirt,

rust, &c., the lines 0f 4the graduation and the figures become obscured or nearly obliterated. In such cases these perforations afford a ready, certain, and accurate means of ascertaining correct dimensions and of laying oif the same. In the drawings submitted I have shown the perforations arranged in regular ranges at a certain specific fraction of an inch from the edge of the tongue orbody; but the distance from the edges of the rule or square may be regulated and determined to suit the user. As arranged in the drawing they furnish means of getting accurate measurements across the tongue or body, which, in many cases, might be desirable.

In `the use ofthe foregoing-described perforations I do not restrict myself to their application to graduated work, for the holes themselves subserve purposes entirely independent of graduation.

If found desirable, the perforations may be countersunk on either or both sides, for the more ready reception of the point of the awl, scriber, pencil, or center-punch. A

The tongues of common try-squares, which have a thick body or head and-a thin metallic tongue, may be perforated after the system above described, and thus be especially adapted for use in laying out mortise's, tenons, and other analogous kinds of rectangular work. y

l amaware that subdivisions of linear measure have heretofore been marked or indicated upon rulers by perforations. Hence Il do not broadly claim perforations yapplied to rulers or scales as an adjunct to the designation or marking of such divisions or subdivisions; but I do claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the perforated square A B and guide-centers C 0, substantially as described and set forth.

2. A square for artisans7 use, having each limb thereof provided with perforations4 at regular intervals of linear measure, reading from the inner edge of its adjacent limb, `substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand, at North Bennington, Vermont, lthis 20th day of April, A. D. 1876.

JEREMIAH ESSEX.

Witnesses j FRANKLIN SCOTT, GEO. B. PHILLIPS. 

